Threats of Zika Virus

Threats of Zika Virus

Zika virus is triggered and spread by the mosquitoes active during the daytime known as Aedes mosquitoes such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus. The name Zika comes from the Zika Forest in Uganda where the virus was first remoted in 1947. It is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae. These are the same type of mosquito that carries yellow fever, dengue fever, and chikungunya virus. A mosquito bites an infected person and carries that virus to the other people it bites.

Signs and indications

The signs usually show after a few days after the person is bitten by a mosquito but still, the cultivation period is not clear. The indications are same as in fever, dengue, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain and headache. The signs are mostly mild which last for 2-7 days.

Analysis

The infection with Zika virus is founded on the signs and the recent history of traveling or if the infected person resides in an area with active Zika virus spread. Zika virus can only be confirmed during the laboratory tests on blood or other body fluids like urine, semen or saliva.

Medication

Zika virus disease is generally mild and does not need any special medication. A person infected with Zika virus must take adequate rest, increase fluid intake, cure pain and fever by taking regular medicines. If health deteriorates, they should get medical care and advice from a doctor. No vaccinations are available presently.

Complications in the Zika virus

Based on the latest analysis, WHO has decided that Zika virus infected during pregnancy is the reason of congenital brain abnormalities, which consists of microcephaly.The Zika virus can spread from mother to child during pregnancy or at the delivery time. This virus is the reason of the birth defects in babies born to some Zika infected pregnant women. This includes microcephaly, where babies are born with underdeveloped heads and brain damage.Zika virus is activated by Guillain-Barre syndrome. Strong hard work is ongoing to find a link between Zika virus and a range of neurological disorders inside the difficult research framework.

Prevention

The best way to prevent Zika virus infection is to protect you from mosquito bites. Wear light colored clothes and cover yourself as much as you can. Use physical blockades such as window screens; close all the doors and windows, sleep under mosquito nets and use insect repellent containing DEET, IR3535 or icaridin. Read product instructions well. Specific care and help should be provided to those who cannot take care of themselves properly, such as the sick and the old aged people and young children. People who travel or live in the affected areas must take necessary preventive measures as said above to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

It is extremely necessary to cover, empty or clean possible mosquito producing areas in and around the houses like buckets, drums, pots, utensils, gutters and used tyres. People should support the local government hard work to prevent mosquitoes in their areas. The health department also advises spraying of insecticides should be done at regular intervals.

Blood transfusion

Certain blood transfusion from infected person to the normal person also causes Zika virus to spread which should be taken care of.

Sexual transmission

Zika virus is also transmitted from men and women to their sexual partners. The CDC advises men and women who have traveled to a Zika activated area must use condoms or do not have sex until six months after they return. The Zika virus is still transmissible even if the symptoms never show up.

Lastly, doctors always advise to be careful and take precautions before it becomes deadly.